Odegaard brings 'special qualities' that Arsenal have been missing, says Arteta

Published on: 28 January 2021

Mikel Arteta says Martin Odegaard brings "special qualities" that Arsenal have been missing, and has not ruled out the possibility of turning his loan into a permanent move.

Odegaard joined the Gunners on loan from Real Madrid on Wednesday and could make his debut when Manchester United visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old struggled to break into the Madrid side this season, playing just nine times, leading Arteta to call for him to be given time to find his feet at his new club.

But Arteta is excited at Odegaard's arrival and believes he can help to provide the creativity that was once provided by Mesut Ozil, who finally left Arsenal to join Fenerbahce earlier this week.

Arteta said: "He's a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he's got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing.

"Now we have to give him a little bit of time. He hasn't played that many minutes in Madrid, but he's been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are to have another big talent at our club.

"He's a specialist to play in the pocket, to be in the No 8 and No 10 positions. He can play off the side. A really creative player, really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces. The capacity to create chances, to score goals.

"Something he has improved a lot is his work rate without the ball. It's another option to give us more creativity in the final third and to set in different ways against certain teams."

Odegaard is scheduled to return to Madrid at the end of the season, but Arteta believes a permanent switch could be possible should the Norwegian international make a positive impression in north London.

"He has certainly all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position," he said. "It will be down to two things. First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team.

"Second, what Real Madrid and the player think about it. Obviously he's owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say on that."

While Arteta is understandably excited about the arrival of a player who made his international debut when he was still only 15 years old, he downplayed the comparisons to Lionel Messi that were made earlier in Odegaard's career.

"My suggestion is we don't even get close to that name [Messi] because it's a lost battle, in my opinion," said Arteta. "Martin is Martin.

"I think in the last few seasons he's progressed and developed in the right way. I've followed him very closely because he played for Real Sociedad, which is my hometown, and I know him really well. I've been really impressed. He's such a talent."

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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